SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

A computer system takes a set of digital Register – A small storage space for temporary  Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) –
inputs, processes them and creates a set of data in the CPU. performs simple arithmetic and logical
outputs. This is done by a combination of operations.
MAR (Memory Address Register) – Holds the
hardware and software.  Register – temporary storage for one
instruction that has just been fetched from
instruction or address.
FDE CYCLE: main memory and is about to be executed.
 Cache – used to temporarily store data
The FDE cycle is performed by the CPU, in that is frequently used/accessed.
order to process data and instructions in order
MDR (Memory Data Register) –
to carry out its functions.
data/instructions are held here temporarily;
 Cache is slower to access than registers
1. The Program Counter (PC) displays the the instructions will then be passed to CIR.
but faster than RAM.
address in RAM of the next instruction to Received through data bus from main
be processed. memory. Von Neumann architecture:
This value is copied into the Memory
CIR (Current Instruction Register) – Holds A computer with Von Neumann stores both
Address Register (MAR).
memory address provided by PC. program instructions and data in the same
2. The PC register is increased by 1, this
memory (RAM).
prepares the CPU for the next instruction PC (Program Counter) – Holds the address of
to be fetched. the next instruction to be fetched. Data is transferred between components on
3. The CPU check the address in RAM pathways called buses
ACC (Accumulator) – Holds results of
matches the address held in the MAR.
calculations from the ALU. CPU Performance:
4. The instruction in RAM is transferred to
the Memory Data Register (MDR). Common CPU Components:  Cache memory is closer to the CPU than
5. The instruction in the MDR is copied into RAM, meaning that it can provide data
the Current Instruction Register (CIR).  Control Unit (CU) – sends control signals
and instructions to the CPU at a faster
6. The instruction in the CIR is decoded to direct the operation of the CPU
rate, however cache memory is costly, so
(understood) and executed (processed): o Control signals and timing signals are
most computers only have a small
Any result of an execution is stored in the sent to the ALU and other
amount.
Accumulator (ACC). components such as RAM.
 Clock speed is the measure of how quickly
a CPU can process instructions.
 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Clock speed is measured in Gigahertz o If one core is waiting for another core
(GHz). A typical desktop might have a to finish processing, performance may
clock speed of 3.5 GHz, this means it can not increase at all.
perform 3.5 billion cycles a second. Some software is not written to make
use of multiple cores, so it will not run
o This means the faster the clock speed, any quicker on a multi-core processor.
the faster the computer can perform
Embedded System – a computer which
the FDE cycle resulting in better
performs a specific pre-programmed task
performance because more
(stored in ROM) within a larger mechanical
instructions can be processed each
system.
second.
o Uses firmware (hardware + software)
 Core is a complete set of CPU components o E.g toaster, washing machine, GPS
(CU, ALU and registers). Each core is able
to perform its own FDE cycle. Reasons to use Embedded Systems:
A multi-core CPU has more than one set of  Physically small, less space is needed
components within the same CPU.  Use less power, cheaper to run
o In theory, a single-core processor can  Less power, no overheating
execute one instruction at a time, a  One task in mind, very efficient
dual-core processor can execute four  Built on a single printed circuit, easy to
instructions, and a quad-core replace
processor can execute four
instructions simultaneously. Data Bus – Carries actual, binary data around
o Therefore, a computer with more computer
cores will have a higher performance Address Bus – Carries address of memory
because it can process more locations used to store data
instructions at once.
Control Bus – Sends and receives signals that
controls components & CPU